City reviews Hanover Hill force main break, flood response and stormwater compliance

City officials told the Board of Public Works and Safety on April 7 that crews responded to a force main break at Hanover Hill during recent storms and are documenting costs and work for FEMA disaster assistance.

Chris Hale said crews initially observed what appeared to be a force-main failure and later determined the break was likely caused by hillside erosion that moved a PVC pipe: “I'm gonna assume that the hillside moved that pipe slightly and cracked it and then caused the rest of the erosion,” he said. The board asked whether the damage would be claimable as part of the disaster; staff said they are documenting people and dollars used and that the expenditures “will be a part of” the FEMA total.

Code-enforcement staff (MS4 coordinator) reported that Madison’s annual MS4 report to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) was submitted and reviewed with “no deficiencies found.” The MS4 coordinator explained that the MS4 program focuses on water quality (illicit discharges, construction/post-construction runoff and “good housekeeping”) rather than quantity, and noted the city’s retention pond constructed to serve 87 acres has helped control sediment and runoff during recent rains.

Board members discussed the Army Corps of Engineers flood-mitigation study. One board member noted the Corps' recent submittal of a very large (approximately 600-page) report and staff confirmed receipt of preliminary Corps materials that will inform ongoing mitigation planning.

No formal action was taken; staff said they will continue documenting disaster response costs and pursue required assessments and recovery steps.